From Self to Social Relationships: An Essentially Relational Perspective on Social Motivation (Studies in Emotion and Social Interaction)

What is it that moves and motivates us in our lives? Martijn van Zomeren proposes social relationships are at the essence of this key question and, in a fascinating investigation into human motivation, he develops a novel and integrative psychological theory termed 'selvations theory'. The theory suggests that we are essentially relational beings that seek to regulate relationships in response to felt changes in our network of relationships (selvations). However, we need to do this in culturally appropriate ways and this is where our culturally construed self comes to be of use. 'From self to social relationships' constitutes a powerful argument about human essence, integrating major theories in and around psychology, which has strong implications for the study and practice of social motivation. Read more... Cover......Page 1 Half-title page......Page 3 Series page......Page 4 Title page......Page 5 Copyright page......Page 6 Dedication......Page 7 Contents......Page 9 Figures......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Prologue......Page 13 Part I Assumptions......Page 21 Introduction......Page 23 The need for dark matter......Page 24 A problem......Page 29 A solution......Page 34 Towards integration and consilience......Page 40 Introduction......Page 45 What is relational essence?......Page 46 Too much self-ishness......Page 50 Definitions and theories of social motivation......Page 55 Selvations and self in evolutionary context?......Page 67 Part II Selvations theory......Page 75 Introduction......Page 77 What are selvations?......Page 78 Knitting together an Asian elephant......Page 79 The spider in the web......Page 99 Bigger or smaller brains?......Page 103 Introduction......Page 105 What is coping?......Page 107 Knitting together an African elephant......Page 112 The cultural matrix......Page 124 A clash of cultures?......Page 127 Part III Implications......Page 131 Introduction......Page 133 So what indeed?......Page 134 Implications of selvations theory......Page 139 Implications of relational essence......Page 156 Implications of integration and consilience......Page 161 Epilogue......Page 164 More than a metaphor?......Page 165 Selvations theory in everyday life......Page 169 The undiscovered country......Page 176 Conclusion......Page 181 References......Page 182 Index......Page 205 Cover 1 Half-title page 3 Series page 4 Title page 5 Copyright page 6 Dedication 7 Contents 9 Figures 11 Acknowledgements 12 Prologue 13 Part I Assumptions 21 Chapter 1 Towards theoretical integration 23 Introduction 23 The need for dark matter 24 A problem 29 A solution 34 Towards integration and consilience 40 Chapter 2 A shift from self to selvations 45 Introduction 45 What is relational essence? 46 Too much self-ishness 50 Definitions and theories of social motivation 55 Selvations and self in evolutionary context? 67 Part II Selvations theory 75 Chapter 3 Selvations theory I: Value infusion 77 Introduction 77 What are selvations? 78 Knitting together an Asian elephant 79 The spider in the web 99 Bigger or smaller brains? 103 Chapter 4 Selvations theory II: Coping with value-infused events 105 Introduction 105 What is coping? 107 Knitting together an African elephant 112 The cultural matrix 124 A clash of cultures? 127 Part III Implications 131 Chapter 5 So what? 133 Introduction 133 So what indeed? 134 Implications of selvations theory 139 Implications of relational essence 156 Implications of integration and consilience 161 Epilogue 164 More than a metaphor? 165 Selvations theory in everyday life 169 The undiscovered country 176 Conclusion 181 References 182 Index 205 What Is It That Moves And Motivates Us In Our Lives? Martijn Van Zomeren Proposes Social Relationships Are At The Essence Of This Key Question And, In A Fascinating Investigation Into Human Motivation, He Develops A Novel And Integrative Psychological Theory Termed 'selvations Theory'. The Theory Suggests That We Are Essentially Relational Beings That Seek To Regulate Relationships In Response To Felt Changes In Our Network Of Relationships (selvations). However, We Need To Do This In Culturally Appropriate Ways And This Is Where Our Culturally Construed Self Comes To Be Of Use. 'from Self To Social Relationships' Constitutes A Powerful Argument About Human Essence, Integrating Major Theories In And Around Psychology, Which Has Strong Implications For The Study And Practice Of Social Motivation. Martijn Van Zomeren. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. What is it that moves and motivates us in our lives? Martijn van Zomeren proposes that social relationships are at the essence of this key question and, in a fascinating investigation into human motivation, he develops a novel and integrative psychological theory termed 'selvations theory'. The theory suggests that we are essentially relational beings that seek to regulate relationships in response to felt changes in our network of relationships (selvations). However, we need to do this in culturally appropriate ways and this is where our culturally construed self comes to be of use. From Self to Social Relationships constitutes a powerful argument about human essence, integrating major theories in and around psychology, which has strong implications for the study and practice of social motivation.